Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier is viewed by Newcastle United management as the successor to Yohan Cabaye, per Danny Griffiths at the Metro, so here is a scouting report on Grenier, a French international.

Why Grenier Is Brilliant

Source: L'Equipe

"He [Grenier] is a very technical player, more of a No. 10 than a centre midfielder," former Lyon and Newcastle footballer Olivier Bernard said, per talkSPORT's Hawksbee and Jacobs.

"You probably will forget [about] Yohan if you get Clement because the player is very good."

When you watch Grenier, you are enthralled by his mastery of the ball from a set-piece situation.

Every time Grenier takes a free-kick, he is emulating Lyon legend Juninho Pernambucano, a pioneer of knuckle-ball free-kicks.

"Strike the centre of the ball, connecting with the bottom and driving up through it. This will cause [the ball] to dip viciously, confusing the keeper," Juninho said as he explained his free-kick routine, per FourFourTwo. "This effect is called knuckleball."

Juninho rates Grenier's free-kick prowess highly.

"[Lyon goalkeeping coach] Joel Bats told me that Clement Grenier practises free-kicks a huge amount," Juninho said, per RMC (h/t Ian Holyman at ESPN FC). "I took a lot longer than him [Grenier] to get to that level."

Source: Ligue1.com

Source: Ligue1.com

Grenier has accumulated four goals from free-kicks since May 2013.

His technique is flawless and he can strike the ball perfectly.

Another positive in Grenier's game is his propensity to extend plays.

In a 3-1 win over Bastia, rather than cross first time, he was given space, he took advantage, surged forward and clipped an accurate ball for teammate Yassine Benzia to head home.

Source: Ligue1.com

Benzia profited again from Grenier's creativity in a 3-1 win over Sochaux.

Grenier dribbled deep into Sochaux territory.

He noticed right-back Sebastien Corchia and centre-back Mathieu Peybernes were out of position, picked out Benzia with an incisive pass and he converted his chance.

Source: Ligue1.com

Not only is Grenier a free-kick specialist with vision, but he is also two-footed.

He can pass left and right without any discrepancy.

Montpellier's Benjamin Stambouli found out the hard way that Grenier, naturally right-footed, can cross with his left foot.